General NewsPaul WhelanRussiaWashington news US makes offer to bring home jailed Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. Russia rejected it by Andrew Wright December 5, 2023 written by Andrew Wright December 5, 2023 0 comments Bookmark 36 The Biden administration has recently put forth a significant proposal aimed at securing the release of two American detainees, Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. However, the Russian government has rejected this offer, as reported by the State Department on Tuesday. Matthew Miller, the department’s spokesman, did not disclose the specifics of the proposal or the reasons behind Russia’s refusal. Nonetheless, this revelation underscores the ongoing efforts by Washington to negotiate with Moscow for the return of both individuals. “This was a newly crafted proposal, developed in recent weeks. It held substantial significance,” stated Miller. “Regrettably, the Russians declined it, but this setback will not deter us from persisting in our efforts to bring both of them back home.” The U.S. government has consistently maintained that both Whelan and Gershkovich are wrongfully detained. Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, has been in Russian custody since his arrest in December 2018 on charges related to espionage. These charges have been contested by both Whelan and the U.S. government. He was subsequently sentenced to a 16-year prison term. Evan Gershkovich, a journalist with the Wall Street Journal, was apprehended in March while on an assignment in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, situated approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) east of Moscow. Gershkovich and his employer have refuted the allegations, with Russian authorities failing to present concrete evidence to support the espionage charges. Just last week, a Russian court extended his detention until January 30. Miller emphasized, “Their initial arrests were unwarranted, and they should be released immediately. We have put forth numerous proposals, including a substantial one in recent weeks. Our commitment remains unwavering in working tirelessly to secure the return of Evan and Paul Whelan. For the Secretary of State, there is no higher priority, and for the president, this issue is of paramount importance.” In July 2022, Secretary of State Antony Blinken disclosed that the U.S. had presented a substantial proposal to Moscow for the release of both WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. Although Griner was ultimately released in December through a prisoner exchange involving notorious Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout, Whelan was not included in the arrangement. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Detained AmericansWhat was the significant offer made by the Biden administration?Who are Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, and why are they detained in Russia?What is the U.S. government’s stance on the detainment of these individuals?Has there been any progress in securing the release of these detainees?How significant is this issue to the U.S. government?What happened to Brittney Griner in relation to these detainment cases?More about Detained Americans Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Detained Americans What was the significant offer made by the Biden administration? The details of the significant offer made by the Biden administration to secure the release of American detainees Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich were not disclosed in the report. The specifics of the offer and the reasons for Russia’s rejection were not provided. Who are Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, and why are they detained in Russia? Paul Whelan is a corporate security executive from Michigan who has been detained in Russia since December 2018. He was arrested on espionage-related charges, which both he and the U.S. government dispute. He was subsequently sentenced to a 16-year prison term. Evan Gershkovich is a Wall Street Journal reporter who was detained in March while on a reporting assignment in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Russian authorities accused him of espionage, although neither Gershkovich nor the Journal have been presented with concrete evidence to support these charges. What is the U.S. government’s stance on the detainment of these individuals? The U.S. government has consistently declared that both Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich are wrongfully detained in Russia. Has there been any progress in securing the release of these detainees? While the Biden administration has made several proposals and efforts to secure the release of these individuals, as of the latest report, there has been no success in bringing them back to the United States. How significant is this issue to the U.S. government? According to Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, there is no higher priority for the Secretary of State or the President than working to bring Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich home. The U.S. government is committed to their release and continues to make diplomatic efforts toward that end. What happened to Brittney Griner in relation to these detainment cases? In July 2022, the U.S. made a substantial proposal to Moscow to secure the release of both WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. Ultimately, Brittney Griner was released in December through a prisoner swap involving Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms trafficker. However, Paul Whelan was not part of that exchange. More about Detained Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich Detainment U.S.-Russia Diplomatic Efforts Background on Paul Whelan’s Case Evan Gershkovich’s Detainment U.S. Government’s Position on Detainment Release of Brittney Griner You Might Be Interested In Indictment takeaways: Trump’s alleged schemes and lies to keep secret papers A milestone for Notre Dame: 1 year until cathedral reopens to public after devastating fire Paris Shifts Gears: From Automobile Dominance to Bicycle Congestion Rising Temperatures Due to Climate Change Intensify Struggles for Agricultural Laborers WHO Pays Congo Sexual Abuse Victims $250 Each, Reveals Internal Documents Latino Democrats Shift from Quiet Concern to Open Opposition to Biden’s Border Talks Concessions detained Americansdiplomatic effortsEspionage ChargesEvan GershkovichGeneral NewsPaul Whelanprisoner releaseRussiaUS-Russia relations